Aerosol-generating device with piercing assembly

ABSTRACT

A piercing system for use in aerosol-generating devices may be used to form one or more openings in a shisha cartridge. The piercing system includes a piercing assembly and stem pipe. The stem pipe may be incorporated as part of an aerosol-generating device. The piercing assembly comprises a body with a through opening. The opening may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem pipe. The piercing assembly comprises a plurality of piercing elements at its upstream end. The piercing elements are configured for piercing a cartridge. The piercing assembly may be operated by placing a cartridge onto the piercing assembly and pressing down on the cartridge.

This disclosure relates to piercing systems for piercing cartridges usedin aerosol-generating devices. More particularly, this disclosurerelates to piercing assemblies for use in shisha devices.

Traditional shisha devices are used to smoke tobacco and are configuredsuch that vapor and smoke pass through a water basin before inhalationby a consumer. Shisha devices may include one outlet, or more than oneoutlet so that the device may be used by more than one consumer at atime. Use of shisha devices is considered by some to be a leisureactivity and a social experience.

Typically, traditional shishas are used in combination with a substrate,sometimes referred to in the art as hookah tobacco, tobacco molasses, orsimply as molasses. Traditional shisha substrates are relatively high insugar (in some cases, up to ˜50% vs. the ˜20% typically found inconventional tobacco substrates, such as in combustible cigarettes). Thetobacco used in shisha devices may be mixed with other ingredients to,for example, increase the volume of the vapor and smoke produced, toalter flavor, or both.

Traditional shisha devices employ charcoal, such as charcoal pellets toheat and sometimes combust the tobacco substrate to generate an aerosolfor inhalation by a user. Using charcoal to heat the tobacco may causefull or partial combustion of the tobacco or other ingredients.Additionally, charcoal may generate harmful or potentially harmfulproducts, such as carbon monoxide, which may mix with the shisha vaporand pass through the water basin to the outlet.

One way to reduce the production of carbon monoxide and combustionby-products is to employ e-liquids rather than tobacco. Shisha devicesthat employ e-liquids eliminate combustion by-products but depriveshisha consumers of the traditional tobacco-based experience.

Other shisha devices have been proposed that employ electric heaters toheat, but not combust, tobacco. Such electrically heated heat-not-burnshisha devices heat the tobacco substrate to a temperature sufficient toproduce an aerosol from the substrate without combusting the substrate,and therefore reduce or eliminate by-products associated with combustionof tobacco.

Shisha devices may employ a cartridge for housing an aerosol-formingsubstrate. The cartridge may be filled with such aerosol-formingsubstrate. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise tobacco,preferably shisha substrate, such as molasses—a mixture of tobacco,water, sugar, and other components, such as glycerine, flavors, etc. Theheating system of the electrically heated shisha device heats thecontents of the cartridge to generate aerosol, which is conveyed throughan airflow path to a user.

In order to facilitate airflow through the cartridge and the flow of theaerosol from the cartridge, a shisha cartridge may have one or moreholes through one or more walls. The cartridge may include one or moreholes at the top, one or more holes at the bottom, or both one or moreholes at the top and one or more holes at the bottom. Alternatively, thetop may be open, that is, the top wall may be partially or completelyabsent.

Prior art cartridges typically have one or more openings on at least oneof the walls of the cartridge, such as in one or both of the top andbottom walls. At least some of the holes or openings in the top andbottom walls may be closed by a removable (for example, peelable)sealing layer, such as a film, sticker, or liner, during storage. Theremovable layer may protect the contents (for example, the molasses)from exposure to air and oxygen. The removable layer may be removed (forexample, pulled or peeled off) by a user prior to first use of thecartridge.

The holes or openings in the cartridge, if left unsealed, may lead toloss of freshness (for example, moisture content) or contamination ofthe substrate, as well as issues with leakage. For one or more reasons,such as in order to maintain freshness, to prevent leakage of thesubstrate, or to preserve the quality and integrity of the substrateduring storage, it is desirable to form the openings or holes of thecartridge only immediately prior to use.

It would be desirable to provide a piercing assembly for piercingcartridges used in aerosol-generating devices. It would be desirable toprovide a piercing assembly that can be incorporated as part of anaerosol-generating device. It would be desirable to provide a piercingassembly that does not require additional equipment in addition to theaerosol-generating device. It would be desirable to provide a piercingassembly that is convenient and easy to use. It would be desirable toprovide a piercing assembly that can be used with a cartridge that doesnot have pre-formed air inlets or outlets. It would be desirable toprovide a piercing assembly that reduces the chance of injury to theuser when piercing a cartridge.

According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a piercing assemblyis provided that can be used in aerosol-generating devices. For example,the piercing assembly may be used in shisha devices. The piercingassembly may be used to form one or more openings in a cartridge. Forexample, the piercing assembly may be used to form one or more openingsin a shisha cartridge.

The piercing assembly may be mounted onto or may be integral with a stempipe. The stem pipe may be incorporated as part of an aerosol-generatingdevice. The stem pipe may be incorporated as part of a shisha device.

The piercing assembly comprises a body with a through opening. Theopening may be coaxial with the hollow tube of the stem pipe. Thepiercing assembly comprises a plurality of piercing elements at itsupstream end. The piercing elements are configured for piercing (forexample, creating one or more holes in) a cartridge.

The piercing assembly may be operated by inserting a cartridge into acap or into the piercing assembly disposed at the mouth of theaerosol-generating device vessel. The cap may be placed onto thepiercing assembly, and the cap along with the cartridge may be presseddown toward the piercing assembly. The piercing elements of the piercingassembly may pierce (for example, create one or more holes in) thecartridge. The aerosol-generating device may be a shisha device and thecartridge may be a shish cartridge.

The piercing system of the present disclosure may provide variousadvantages to both the manufacturer and the user. Some of the advantagesinclude that the piercing system is convenient, easy, and safe to use.The user of the shisha device does not need additional equipment topierce a cartridge. Further, the user can pierce the cartridge withouthaving to directly handle a piercing element, reducing the chance ofinjury from sharp objects. The piercing assembly may also allow thecartridge to be pierced without removing a sticker or film from thecartridge. The cartridge may be placed into the shisha device prior toopening of the cartridge. The piercing assembly thus reduces the chanceof leaks and other messes. The piercing element enables the use of acartridge without pre-formed perforations. This allows for cheaper,faster, and easier manufacturing of cartridges.

According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the piercingsystem may comprise a stem pipe comprising a hollow tube extending froman upstream end to a downstream end along a longitudinal axis; and apiercing assembly at the upstream end of the stem pipe. The piercingassembly may comprise a body with a through opening coaxial with thehollow tube, the body comprising an upstream body end. The piercingassembly may comprise a plurality of piercing elements at the upstreambody end. The plurality of piercing elements may comprise a piercingedge or piercing point. The piercing edge or piercing point may beoriented upward in the upstream direction. The piercing edge or piercingpoint may be oriented radially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis.The piercing edge may extend longitudinally parallel to the longitudinalaxis. Advantageously, the piercing assembly may be part of the deviceand a user may pierce the cartridge without coming into contact with thepiercing elements.

According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the piercingsystem comprises a stem pipe comprising a hollow tube extending from anupstream end to a downstream end along a longitudinal axis; and apiercing assembly at the upstream end of the stem pipe. The piercingassembly comprises a body with a through opening coaxial with the hollowtube. The body comprises an upstream body end. The piercing assemblycomprises a plurality of piercing elements at the upstream body end. Theplurality of piercing elements may comprise a piercing edge or piercingpoint. The piercing edge or piercing point may be oriented upward in theupstream direction. The piercing edge or piercing point may be orientedradially inwardly toward the longitudinal axis. The piercing edge mayextend longitudinally parallel to the longitudinal axis. Advantageously,the piercing assembly is part of the device and a user may pierce thecartridge without coming into contact with the piercing elements.

Each of the plurality of piercing elements may have a piercing endextending from the body. One or more of the piercing ends may extendfrom the upstream body end to at least a first distance, and one or moreof the piercing ends extend to a second distance. The first distance maybe different from the second distance. In some embodiments, each of thepiercing ends extends from the upstream body end to a distance differentfrom each of the other piercing ends. Surprisingly, less force isrequired to pierce the cartridge, when the piercing ends are not all atthe same height.

In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality of piercing elementscomprises a triangular shape in a cross section transverse to thelongitudinal axis. In some embodiments, one or more of the plurality ofpiercing elements comprises, in a cross section transverse to thelongitudinal axis, a curved shape. In some embodiments, the curved shapemay terminate at a piercing edge.

The plurality of piercing elements may be retractable. In someembodiments, the piercing elements are integrally formed with the bodyof the piercing assembly. The piercing assembly may be removablyattachable to the stem pipe. The piercing assembly may be rotatableabout the longitudinal center axis. In some embodiments, the piercingassembly is integrally formed with the stem pipe.

The body of the piercing assembly may comprise a sealing ring. Thesealing ring may be configured to sealingly mate with a cartridge. Theplurality of piercing elements may be disposed within the body. Theplurality of piercing elements may be disposed downstream of the sealingring.

The piercing system may comprise an absorption element housed within thebody.

The piercing system may be used with an aerosol-generating device. Theaerosol-generating device may comprise a vessel comprising an interiorvolume and a mouth in fluid communication with the interior volume. Theinterior volume may be configured for housing a liquid. The piercingsystem may be at the mouth of the vessel. The piercing system may beadjacent the mouth of the vessel. The piercing system may be arrangedsuch that the downstream end of the stem pipe extends into the interiorvolume of the vessel. The aerosol-generating device may comprise a cap.The cap may be removably mountable at the mouth of the vessel oradjacent the piercing assembly. The cap may be configured to receive acartridge comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. The piercing assemblyof the piercing system may be configured to pierce a first wall of thecartridge. The cap may also comprise a cap piercing element configuredto pierce a second wall of the cartridge.

The piercing system may be used with a shisha device. The shisha devicecomprises a vessel comprising an interior volume and a mouth in fluidcommunication with the interior volume. The interior volume may beconfigured for housing a liquid. The piercing system may be at the mouthof the vessel. The piercing system may be adjacent the mouth of thevessel. The piercing system may be arranged such that the downstream endof the stem pipe extends into the interior volume of the vessel. Theaerosol-generating device may comprise a cap. The cap may be removablymountable at the mouth of the vessel or adjacent the piercing assembly.The cap may be configured to receive a cartridge comprising anaerosol-forming substrate. The piercing assembly of the piercing systemmay be configured to pierce a first wall of the cartridge. The cap mayalso comprise a cap piercing element configured to pierce a second wallof the cartridge.

A method of using the aerosol-generating device may comprise inserting acartridge either into the cap of the aerosol-generating device or intothe body of the piercing assembly, and placing the cap at the mouth ofthe vessel such that the cartridge is received in a receptacle of thecap and is oriented toward the upstream end of the piercing stem pipe.The method may include pushing the cap against the piercing assembly,causing the piercing assembly to pierce a wall of the cartridge.

The term “aerosol” is used herein to refer to a suspension of solidparticles or liquid droplets or a combination of solid particles andliquid droplets in a gas. The gas may be air. The solid particles orliquid droplets may comprise one or more volatile flavor compounds.Aerosol may be visible or invisible. Aerosol may include vapors ofsubstances that are ordinarily liquid or solid at room temperature.Aerosol may include vapors of substances that are ordinarily liquid orsolid at room temperature, in combination with solid particles or incombination with liquid droplets or in combination with both solidparticles and liquid droplets. In some embodiments, the aerosolcomprises nicotine.

The term “aerosol-forming substrate” is used herein to refer to amaterial capable of releasing one or more volatile compounds that canform an aerosol. In some embodiments, an aerosol-forming substrate maybe heated to volatilize one or more components of the aerosol-formingsubstrate to form an aerosol. As an alternative to heating orcombustion, in some cases volatile compounds may be released by achemical reaction or by a mechanical stimulus, such as ultrasound. Theaerosol-forming substrate may be disposed inside the cartridge.Aerosol-forming substrate may be solid or liquid or may comprise bothsolid and liquid components. Aerosol-forming substrate may be adsorbed,coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded onto a carrier or support.Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. Aerosol-formingsubstrate may comprise plant-based material. Aerosol-forming substratemay comprise tobacco. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise atobacco-containing material containing volatile tobacco flavorcompounds, which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate uponheating. Aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively comprise anon-tobacco-containing material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprisehomogenized plant-based material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprisehomogenized tobacco material. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise atleast one aerosol-former. Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise otheradditives and ingredients, such as flavorants.

The terms “integral” and “integrally formed” are used herein to describeelements that are formed in one piece (a single, unitary piece).Integral or integrally formed components may configured such that theycannot be separably removed from each other without causing structuraldamage to the piece.

The term “piercing edge” is used herein to describe an edge that iscapable of piercing a cartridge. A piercing edge has a length. Apiercing edge may terminate at a piercing end. An example of a piercingedge is a knife edge.

The term “piercing point” is used herein to describe a pointed end of anobject that is capable of piercing a cartridge. An example of a piercingpoint is a needle tip.

As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” also encompassembodiments having plural referents, unless the content clearly dictatesotherwise.

As used herein, “or” is generally employed in its sense including “oneor the other or both” unless the content clearly dictates otherwise.

The term “about” is used herein in conjunction with numeric values toinclude normal variations in measurements as expected by persons skilledin the art and is understood to have the same meaning as“approximately.” The term “about” understood to cover a typical marginof error. A typical margin of error may be, for example, ±5% of thestated value.

As used herein, “have,” “having,” “include,” “including,” “comprise,”“comprising” or the like are used in their open-ended sense, andgenerally mean “including, but not limited to”. It will be understoodthat “consisting essentially of,” “consisting of,” and the like aresubsumed in “comprising,” and the like.

The words “preferred” and “preferably” refer to embodiments of theinvention that may afford certain benefits, under certain circumstances.However, other embodiments may also be preferred, under the same orother circumstances. Furthermore, the recitation of one or morepreferred embodiments does not imply that other embodiments are notuseful and is not intended to exclude other embodiments from the scopeof the disclosure, including the claims.

The term “substantially” as used herein can be understood to modify theterm that follows by at least about 90%, at least about 95%, or at leastabout 98%. The term “not substantially” as used herein can be understoodto have the inverse meaning of “substantially,” i.e., modifying the termthat follows by not more than 10%, not more than 5%, or not more than2%.

Any direction referred to herein, such as “top,” “bottom,” “left,”“right,” “upper,” “lower,” and other directions or orientations aredescribed herein for clarity and brevity are not intended to be limitingof an actual device or system. Devices and systems described herein maybe used in a number of directions and orientations.

An aerosol-generating device may comprise a vessel comprising aninterior volume configured for housing a liquid. The vessel may comprisea mouth in fluid communication with the interior volume. Theaerosol-generating device may comprise a cap comprising a receptacle forreceiving a cartridge. The aerosol-generating device may also comprise astem pipe. The stem pipe may comprise a hollow tube that provides a partof the air flow path within the aerosol-generating device.

The aerosol-generating device may be a shisha device. A shisha devicemay comprise a vessel comprising an interior volume configured forhousing a liquid. The vessel may comprise a mouth in fluid communicationwith the interior volume. The shisha device may comprise a capcomprising a receptacle for receiving a cartridge. The shisha device mayalso comprise a stem pipe. The stem pipe may comprise a hollow tube thatprovides a part of the air flow path within the shisha device.

The stem pipe may be mounted at the mouth of the vessel. The stem pipecomprises a hollow tube with an upstream end and a downstream end and anairflow path extending through the hollow tube from the upstream end tothe downstream end. The downstream end of the stem pipe extends into theinterior volume of the vessel. In use, the downstream end of the stempipe typically extends below a liquid level inside the vessel. Thepiercing assembly may be mounted onto the upstream end of the stem pipe.Alternatively, the piercing assembly may be integrally formed as a partof the stem pipe. As a cartridge is placed at the piercing assembly andpushed down, the piercing assembly engages one or more walls of thecartridge, piercing one or more openings into the wall. Advantageously,the user is able to pierce the cartridge without the need for additionalequipment. Further, the user may pierce the cartridge without cominginto contact with the piercing elements themselves, thus reducing thechance of injury from sharp objects. The piercing assembly may reducethe chance of leaks and other messes from a cartridge with openingsbecause the openings are only formed after the cartridge is placed inthe shisha device.

The piercing assembly comprises a body with an upstream end and adownstream end. The body may comprise a through opening extending fromthe upstream end to the downstream end. The through openingadvantageously enables airflow down through the stem pipe. The body mayhave any suitable shape. The body may be generally tubular. In someembodiments, the body has an outer wall that is cylindrical orfrustoconical. The body of the piercing assembly may have a longitudinalaxis extending along the through opening. The longitudinal axis may be acenter axis. The through opening of the body may be coaxial with thehollow tube of the stem pipe.

At the upstream end or adjacent the upstream end of the body, thepiercing assembly comprises a plurality of piercing elements. Thepiercing elements may have a length extending parallel or substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. Each of the piercingelements has a piercing end configured for piercing a cartridge. Thepiercing end may be oriented upward. The piercing end may be orientedtoward the center axis of the body.

The piercing element may have any suitable shape that is capable ofpiercing the cartridge. The piercing end may comprise a piercing pointor a piercing edge, or both a piercing point and a piercing edge. Insome embodiments, the piercing elements are needle-like extensions thatterminate in a piercing point. In some embodiments, the piercingelements are knife-like extensions that have a piercing edge. Thepiercing edge may be oriented facing a direction toward the inside ofthe body. In some embodiments, the piercing edge is oriented toward thecenter axis. The piercing edge may be present at least at the upstreamend of the piercing element. The piercing edge may extend from theupstream end to the downstream end along the length of the piercingelement.

In some embodiments, the piercing element has a curved or cupped shapewhen viewed from above. The piercing element may include a centerportion. The center portion may extend axially upward from the body ofthe piercing assembly. The center portion may define a piercing point.The center portion may also define at least a portion of a piercingedge. The center portion may be flanked by two side portions. The sideportions may be bent or folded inward toward the center axis. Thepiercing element may further comprise a base. The base may connect (forexample, attach) the piercing element to the body of the piercingassembly. The piercing element may be formed from a flat piece ofmaterial. For example, the piercing element may be formed by cutting ashape from a flat sheet of metal and bending or folding portions of thecut shape to form the center portion, side portions, and base. The sideportions and base may be bent or folded toward one side of the centerportion to form the cupped shape.

The piercing element may comprise a triangular shape in its crosssection transverse to the length of the piercing element. The triangularshape may have straight sides or one or more curved sides. The piercingelement may have a symmetrical shape (for example, symmetrical about alongitudinal axis). The piercing element may have an asymmetrical shape.The piercing edge may be oriented toward the center axis of the assemblybody. That is, a bisector of the piercing edge in a transverse crosssection may run through the center axis. Alternatively, the piercingedge may be oriented toward the inside of the body but not toward thecenter axis. In other words, the angle bisector of the piercing edge ina transverse cross section may not run through the center axis.

In some embodiments, where the piercing element has a piercing edgeoriented toward the inside of the body, the piercing element may have aflat (for example, planar) or substantially flat triangular top.

In some embodiments, the piercing elements may comprise a piercing edgewith a curved shape. For example, the piercing edge may be curved abouta longitudinal axis parallel to the length of the piercing element.Piercing elements with a curved piercing edge may be combined with apiercing assembly body that is rotatably movable about the stem pipe.

The back side of the piercing element (for example, the side facing awayfrom the body of the piercing assembly) may have any suitable shape. Forexample, the back side may be substantially flat or may be curved. Insome embodiments, the back side may have a bottom portion tapered towardthe body of the assembly.

The piercing elements may be mounted or formed on the body symmetricallyabout the perimeter. Alternatively, the piercing elements may be mountedasymmetrically. The piercing elements may be mounted at differentheights. Surprisingly, less force is required to pierce the cartridge,when the piercing elements are not all at the same height. In suchembodiments, force may be applied gradually, causing the piercingelements to pierce the wall of the cartridge one by one. In someembodiments, one or more of the piercing ends extends to a firstdistance from the upstream end of the body, and one or more of the otherpiercing ends extends to a second distance from the upstream end, wherethe first distance is different from the second distance. In oneembodiment, a third piercing end and optionally further piercing endsextend to different distances. In one embodiment, each of the piercingends extends to a distance different from other piercing ends.

In some embodiments, the piercing assembly comprises the piercingelements that are needle-like such that the piercing ends comprise apiercing point. The needle-like piercing elements comprising a piercingpoint may be attached directly to the body or alternatively may beattached to a disc. The disc may comprise a domed surface and an outeredge onto which the piercing elements are attached. The disc may bemounted in a horizontal orientation onto the upstream end of the stempipe by space bars. The space bars may provide a gap between the discand the upstream end of the stem pipe to allow for air flow.

The piercing assembly may comprise any suitable number of piercingelements. In some embodiments, the piercing assembly comprises 3 ormore, 4 or more, 5 or more, 6 or more, 8 or more, 10 or more, 12 ofmore, or 15 or more piercing elements. The piercing assembly maycomprise 50 or fewer, 40 or fewer, 30 or fewer, 25 or fewer, 20 orfewer, or 15 or fewer piercing elements. In some embodiments, thepiercing assembly comprises 4 to 10 piercing elements. In embodimentswith small needle-shaped piercing elements, the number of piercingelements may be greater, such as for example from 20 to 40.

The body of the piercing assembly may be made of any suitable material.For example, the body may be made of metal, plastic, ceramic, glass, ora combination thereof. In some embodiments, the body is made from a heatresistant material. In some embodiments, the body is made from athermally insulating material. The piercing elements may be made of anysuitable material. For example, the piercing elements may be made ofmetal, plastic, ceramic, glass, or a combination thereof. In someembodiments, the piercing elements are made of metal. The piercingelements may be attached to the body in any suitable manner. In someembodiments, the piercing elements are joined to the body by welding orby an adhesive. In some embodiments, the piercing elements areintegrally formed with the body.

In some embodiments, the piercing elements are recessed into the body ofthe piercing assembly. Recessed piercing elements may be integrallyformed with the body. The piercing elements may be disposed inside thebody such that the recessed piercing ends of the piercing elements donot extend past the upstream end of the body. The piercing elements maycomprise a piercing edge, a piercing point, or both a piercing edge anda piercing point.

The piercing assembly may comprise a sealing ring. The sealing ring maybe disposed at or adjacent the upstream end of the body. The sealingring may be made of a resilient or elastic material. The sealing ringmay be configured to be compressed by the cartridge. The sealing ringmay be configured to seal against the wall of the cartridge. A portionof the inside wall of the body may be angled relative to a longitudinalaxis of the body. The angled portion may be collinear with the side wallof the cartridge. The sealing ring may be disposed below or downstreamof the angled portion.

In embodiments where the piercing assembly comprises recessed piercingelements, the body may comprise a sealing ring upstream of the piercingelements. The cartridge may be pushed down past the sealing ring untilthe cartridge engages the piercing elements pointing inwardly below thesealing ring.

In some embodiments, the plurality of piercing elements are retractable.In some embodiments, the plurality of piercing elements are retractablewithin the body.

The body of the piercing assembly may be coupled with the stem pipe byany suitable mechanism. The body may be simply mounted (for example,placed) onto the upstream end of the stem pipe. The body may beremovably attachable to the stem pipe. The body may be coupled with thestem pipe by a mechanical attachment, such as friction fit, snap fit,threaded connection, or a bayonet connection. The body may be joined tothe stem pipe by welding or by an adhesive. The body may be movably (forexample, rotatably) coupled with the stem pipe. In some embodiments, thebody is integrally formed with the stem pipe.

The piercing assembly may be configured to move rotatably about thecenter axis when pushed down with the cartridge. To guide the rotationalmovement, the piercing system may include a track and corresponding pinon the stem pipe and the body of the assembly. The track may be on thestem pipe and the pin may be on the body. Alternatively, the track maybe on the body and the pin may be on the stem pipe. The track and pincooperate to guide the rotational motion of the body about the centeraxis when the body is moved downward. The piercing system may furtherinclude a compression spring. The compression spring may be configuredto bias the body upward by applying a spring force to the body. Forexample, when a user presses the cartridge down to pierce the cartridge,the cartridge presses down on the body, causing the body to move down ina rotating motion. Once the user lets go of the cartridge, the springmay return the body to its original position. The stem pipe may includea flange that supports the spring. The body may include a ledge thatrests or pushes down on the spring. In some embodiments, the rotatablymovable body is combined with piercing elements comprising a piercingedge curved along the length of the piercing element.

In some embodiments, the piercing assembly comprises an absorptionelement. The absorption element may comprise a ring-shaped element. Thering- shaped absorption element may be configured to fit around the stempipe. The absorption element may be disposed adjacent the upstream endof the stem pipe in a space between the stem pipe and the body of thepiercing assembly. The absorption element may be made from a highretention material. The absorption element may be constructed toabsorbed liquids, such as any leaked liquid or condensate.

The shisha device may further comprise a cap. The cap may be removablymountable to the shisha device. The cap may be removably mountable atthe mouth of the vessel or adjacent the piercing assembly. For example,the cap may seal against the mouth of the vessel. In some embodiments,the cap may seal against the piercing assembly. The cap may beconfigured to receive a shisha cartridge in a receptacle. The user mayuse the cap to push down on the cartridge to pierce the cartridge usingthe piercing assembly. Alternatively, the user may press directly on thecartridge to pierce the cartridge, and then place the cap on afterwards.

A method of using the shisha device may comprise placing or inserting acartridge on the body of the piercing assembly or in the cap; placingthe cap at the mouth of the vessel with the bottom wall of the cartridgeoriented toward the piercing assembly; and pushing the cap against thepiercing assembly, causing the piercing assembly to pierce a wall of thecartridge.

In some embodiments, the cartridge is placed directly onto the body ofthe piercing assembly. The cap may be placed onto the piercing assemblyand cartridge such that the cartridge is received in the receptacleinside the cap. In some embodiments, the cartridge is placed inside thereceptacle of the cap, and the cap is used to place the cartridge ontothe piercing assembly. The user may press on the cartridge or may usethe cap to push the cartridge down against the piercing elements topierce one or more walls of the cartridge.

Piercing one or more walls of the cartridge forms one or more air inletsor outlets in the cartridge and may establish an airflow path throughthe cartridge. Once the airflow path is formed, the aerosol-generatingdevice (for example shisha device) may be used to generate aerosol thatmay be inhaled by the user.

The cartridge may comprise any suitable body defining a cavity.Aerosol-forming substrate may be disposed in the cavity of thecartridge. The body is preferably formed from one or more heat resistantmaterials, such as a heat resistant metal or polymer. The body maycomprise a thermally conductive material. For example, the body maycomprise any of aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, any alloysthereof, and combinations thereof. Preferably, the body comprisesaluminum.

The cartridge may be of any suitable shape. For example, the cartridgemay have a shape configured to be received by a shisha device. Thecartridge may have a substantially cuboidal shape, cylindrical shape,frustoconical shape, or any other suitable shape. Preferably, thecartridge has a generally cylindrical shape or a frustoconical shape.

The shisha device is configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate inthe cartridge. The device may be configured to heat the aerosol-formingsubstrate in the cartridge by conduction. The cartridge is preferablyshaped and sized to allow contact with, or minimize distance from, aheating element of the shisha device to provide efficient heat transferfrom the heating element to the aerosol-forming substrate in thecartridge. The heat may be generated by any suitable mechanism, such asby resistive heating or by induction. In order to facilitate inductiveheating, the cartridge may be provided with a susceptor. For example,the cartridge body may be made from or include a material (for example,aluminum) that is capable of acting as a susceptor, or a susceptormaterial may be provided within the cavity of the cartridge. A susceptormaterial may be provided within the cavity of the cartridge in any form,for example a powder, a solid block, shreds, etc.

Any suitable aerosol-forming substrate may be provided in the cavitydefined by the body of the cartridge. The aerosol-forming substrate ispreferably a substrate capable of releasing volatile compounds. Theaerosol-forming substrate is preferably a substrate capable of releasingcompounds that may form an aerosol. The volatile compounds may bereleased by heating the aerosol-forming substrate. The volatilecompounds may be released by a chemical reaction or by a mechanicalstimulus, such as ultrasound. Aerosol-forming substrate may be solid orliquid or may comprise both solid and liquid components. Aerosol-formingsubstrate may be adsorbed, coated, impregnated or otherwise loaded ontoa carrier or support.

The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise nicotine. The nicotinecontaining aerosol-forming substrate may comprise a nicotine saltmatrix. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise plant-based material.The aerosol-forming substrate preferably comprises tobacco. The tobaccocontaining material preferably comprises volatile tobacco flavorcompounds, which are released from the aerosol-forming substrate uponheating. The aerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized tobaccomaterial. Homogenized tobacco material may be formed by agglomeratingparticulate tobacco. The aerosol-forming substrate may alternatively oradditionally comprise a non-tobacco-containing material. Theaerosol-forming substrate may comprise homogenized plant-based material.Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise at least one aerosol-former.Aerosol-forming substrate may comprise other additives and ingredients,such as flavorants. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate is ashisha substrate. A shisha substrate is understood to mean a consumablematerial that is suitable for use in a shisha device. Shisha substratemay include molasses.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include, for example, one or more of:powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis, strips, or sheets. Theaerosol-forming substrate may contain one or more of: herb leaf, tobaccoleaf, fragments of tobacco ribs, reconstituted tobacco, homogenizedtobacco, extruded tobacco, and expanded tobacco.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include at least one aerosol former.Suitable aerosol formers include compounds or mixtures of compoundswhich, in use, facilitate formation of a dense and stable aerosol andwhich are substantially resistant to thermal degradation at theoperating temperature of the shisha device. Suitable aerosol formers arewell known in the art and include, but are not limited to: polyhydricalcohols, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and glycerine;esters of polyhydric alcohols, such as glycerol mono-, di- ortriacetate; and aliphatic esters of mono-, di- or polycarboxylic acids,such as dimethyl dodecanedioate and dimethyl tetradecanedioate.Particularly preferred aerosol formers are polyhydric alcohols ormixtures thereof, such as triethylene glycol, 1,3-butanediol and, mostpreferred, glycerine. The aerosol-forming substrate may include anysuitable amount of an aerosol former. For example, the aerosol formercontent of the substrate may be equal to or greater than 5% on a dryweight basis, and preferably greater than 30% by weight on a dry weightbasis. The aerosol former content may be less than about 95% on a dryweight basis. Preferably, the aerosol former content is up to about 55%.

The aerosol-forming substrate preferably includes nicotine and at leastone aerosol former. In some embodiments, the aerosol former is glycerineor a mixture of glycerine and one or more other suitable aerosolformers, such as those listed above.

The aerosol-forming substrate may include other additives andingredients, such as flavorants, sweeteners, etc. In some examples, theaerosol-forming substrate includes one or more sugars in any suitableamount. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate includes invert sugar.Invert sugar is a mixture of glucose and fructose obtained by splittingsucrose. Preferably, the aerosol-forming substrate includes from about1% to about 40% sugar, such as invert sugar, by weight. In some example,one or more sugars may be mixed with a suitable carrier such ascornstarch or maltodextrin.

In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate includes one or moresensory-enhancing agents. Suitable sensory-enhancing agents includeflavorants and sensation agents, such as cooling agents. Suitableflavorants include natural or synthetic menthol, peppermint, spearmint,coffee, tea, spices (such as cinnamon, clove, ginger, or combinationthereof), cocoa, vanilla, fruit flavors, chocolate, eucalyptus,geranium, eugenol, agave, juniper, anethole, linalool, and anycombination thereof.

In some examples, the aerosol-forming substrate is in the form of asuspension. For example, the aerosol-forming substrate may includemolasses. As used herein, “molasses” means an aerosol-forming substratecomposition comprising about 20% or more sugar. For example, themolasses may include at least about 25% by weight sugar, such as atleast about 35% by weight sugar. Typically, the molasses will containless than about 60% by weight sugar, such as less than about 50% byweight sugar.

Any suitable amount of aerosol-forming substrate (for example, molassesor tobacco substrate) may be disposed in the cavity. In some preferredembodiments, about 3 g to about 25 g of the aerosol-forming substrate isdisposed in the cavity. The cartridge may include at least 6 g, at least7 g, at least 8 g, or at least 9 g of aerosol-forming substrate. Thecartridge may include up to 15 g, up to 12 g; up to 11 g, or up to 10 gof aerosol-forming substrate. Preferably, from about 7 g to about 13 gof aerosol-forming substrate is disposed in the cavity.

The aerosol-forming substrate may be provided on or embedded in athermally stable carrier. The term “thermally stable” is used herein toindicate a material that does not substantially degrade at temperaturesto which the substrate is typically heated (e.g., about 150° C. to about300° C.). The carrier may comprise a thin layer on which the substratedeposited on a first major surface, on second major outer surface, or onboth the first and second major surfaces. The carrier may be formed of,for example, a paper, or paper-like material, a non-woven carbon fibermat, a low mass open mesh metallic screen, or a perforated metallic foilor any other thermally stable polymer matrix. Alternatively, the carriermay take the form of powder, granules, pellets, shreds, spaghettis,strips or sheets. The carrier may be a non-woven fabric or fiber bundleinto which tobacco components have been incorporated. The non-wovenfabric or fiber bundle may comprise, for example, carbon fibers, naturalcellulose fibers, or cellulose-derivative fibers.

The body of the cartridge may include one or more walls. In someembodiments, the body includes a top wall, a bottom wall, and asidewall. The sidewall may be cylindrical or frustoconical, extendingfrom the bottom to the top. The body may include one or more parts. Forexample, the sidewall and the bottom wall may be an integral singlepart. The sidewall and the bottom wall may be two parts configured toengage one another in any suitable manner. For example, the sidewall andthe bottom wall may be configured to engage one another by threadedengagement or interference fit. The sidewall and the bottom wall may betwo parts joined together. For example, the sidewall and the bottom wallmay be joined together by welding or by an adhesive. The top wall andsidewall may be a single integral part. The sidewall and the top wallmay be two parts configured to engage one another in any suitablemanner. For example, sidewall and the top wall may be configured toengage one another by threaded engagement or interference fit. Thesidewall and the top wall may be two parts joined together. For example,the sidewall and the top wall may be joined together by welding or by anadhesive. The top wall, sidewall and bottom wall may all be a singleintegral part. The top wall, the sidewall, and the bottom wall may bethree separate parts configured to engage one another in any suitablemanner. For example, the top wall, the sidewall, and the bottom wall maybe configured to engage by threaded engagement interference fit,welding, or an adhesive.

One or more walls of the body may form a heatable wall or surface. Asused herein, “heatable wall” and “heatable surface” mean an area of awall or a surface to which heat may be applied, either directly orindirectly. The heatable wall or surface may function as a heat transfersurface through which heat may be transferred from outside of the bodyto the cavity or to an internal surface of the cavity.

Preferably, the body of the cartridge has a length (for example, anaxial length along a vertical center axis) of about 15 cm or less. Insome embodiments, the body has a length of about 10 cm or less. The bodymay have an inside diameter of about 1 cm or more. The inside diameterof the body may be about 1.75 cm or more. The cartridge may have aheatable surface area in the cavity from about 25 cm² to about 100 cm²,such as from about 70 cm² to about 100 cm². The volume of the cavity maybe from about 10 cm³ to about 50 cm³; preferably from about 25 cm³ toabout 40 cm³. In some embodiments, the body has a length in a range fromabout 3.5 cm to about 7 cm. The inside diameter of the body may be fromabout 1.5 cm to about 4 cm. The body may have a heatable surface area inthe cavity from about 30 cm² to about 100 cm², such as from about 70 cm²to about 100 cm². The volume of the cavity may be from about 10 cm³ toabout 50 cm³; preferably from about 25 cm³ to about 40 cm³. Preferably,the body is cylindrical or frustoconical.

The cartridge body may include one or more openings or ventilation holesthrough one or more walls of the body. The ventilation holes may beinlets, outlets, or both. The ventilation holes may be disposed at thebottom wall, top wall, sides, or a combination thereof, of thecartridge. In some embodiments, the cartridge does not include anypreformed openings or ventilation holes. In some embodiments, thecartridge includes preformed openings or ventilation holes only in onewall. For example, the cartridge may include openings or ventilationholes in the top wall only. In some embodiments, one or more inlets orone or more outlets are formed in the cartridge walls by the piercingassembly to allow air to flow through the aerosol-forming substrate whenthe cartridge is used with a shisha device. In some embodiments, one ormore inlets and outlets are formed in the cartridge walls by thepiercing assembly to allow air to flow through the aerosol-formingsubstrate when the cartridge is used with a shisha device. In someembodiments, the top wall of the cartridge may be absent or may defineone or more openings to form the one or more inlets of the cartridge.One or more openings may be formed in the bottom wall of the cartridgeto form the one or more outlets of the cartridge. Preferably, the one ormore inlets and outlets are sized and shaped to provide a suitableresistance to draw (RTD) through the cartridge. In some examples, theRTD through the cartridge, from the inlet or inlets to the outlet oroutlets, may be from about 10 mm H₂O to about 50 mm H₂O, preferably fromabout 20 mm H₂O to about 40 mm H₂O. The RTD of a specimen refers to thestatic pressure difference between the two ends of the specimen when itis traversed by an air flow under steady conditions in which thevolumetric flow is 17.5 milliliters per second at the output end. TheRTD of a specimen may be measured using the method set out in ISOStandard 6565:2002.

The one or more openings, once formed, on the body may cover 5% orgreater, 10% or greater, 15% or greater, 20% or greater, or 25% orgreater of the area of the wall the openings are on. For example, if theopenings are on the top wall, the openings may cover at least 5% of thearea of the top wall. The one or more openings on the body may cover 75%or less, 50% or less, 40% or less, or 30% or less of the area of thewall the openings are on.

The cartridge may further include a seal or layer covering one or morepreformed openings prior to use. The cartridge may include a firstremovable seal covering the one or more inlets and a second removableseal covering the one or more outlets. The first and second seals arepreferably sufficient to prevent air flow through the inlets and outletsto prevent leakage of the contents of the cartridge and to extend shelflife. The seal may comprise a peelable label of sticker, foil, or thelike. The seal may comprise a pierceable label of sticker, foil, or thelike. The label, sticker, or foil may be affixed to the cartridge in anysuitable manner, such as with an adhesive, crimping, welding, orotherwise being joined to the container. The seal may comprise a tabthat may be grasped to peel or remove the label, sticker, or foil fromthe cartridge.

In some embodiments the cartridge is a shisha cartridge that may be usedwith any suitable shisha device. Preferably, the shisha device isconfigured to sufficiently heat the aerosol-forming substrate in thecartridge to form an aerosol from the aerosol-forming substrate but notto combust the aerosol-forming substrate. For example, the shisha devicemay be configured to heat the aerosol-forming substrate to a temperaturein a range from about 150° C. to about 300° C.; more preferably fromabout 180° C. to about 250° C. or from about 200° C. to about 230° C.

The shisha device may include a receptacle for receiving the cartridge.The shisha device may comprise a heating element. The heating elementmay be configured to contact or to be in proximity to the body of thecartridge when the cartridge is received in the receptacle. The heatingelement may form at least part of the receptacle. For example, theheating element may form at least a portion of the surface of thereceptacle. The shisha cartridge may be configured to transfer heat fromthe heating element to the aerosol-forming substrate in the cavity byconduction. In some embodiments, the heating element includes anelectric heating element. In some embodiments, the heating elementincludes a resistive heating component. For example, the heating elementmay include one or more resistive wires or other resistive elements. Theresistive wires may be in contact with a thermally conductive materialto distribute heat produced over a broader area. Examples of suitableconductive materials include aluminum, copper, zinc, nickel, silver, andcombinations thereof. The heating element may form at least a portion ofthe surface of the receptacle.

The shisha device may include control electronics operably coupled tothe heating element. The control electronics may be configured tocontrol heating of the heating element. The control electronics may beconfigured to control the temperature to which the aerosol-formingsubstrate in the cartridge is heated. The control electronics may beprovided in any suitable form and may, for example, include a controlleror a memory and a controller. The controller may include one or more ofan Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) state machine, adigital signal processor, a gate array, a microprocessor, or equivalentdiscrete or integrated logic circuitry. Control electronics may includememory that contains instructions that cause one or more components ofthe circuitry to carry out a function or aspect of the controlelectronics. Functions attributable to control electronics in thisdisclosure may be embodied as one or more of software, firmware, andhardware.

The electronic circuitry may include a microprocessor, which may be aprogrammable microprocessor. The electronic circuitry may be configuredto regulate a supply of power. The power may be supplied to the heaterelement in the form of pulses of electrical current.

In some examples, the control electronics may be configured to monitorthe electrical resistance of the heating element and to control thesupply of power to the heating element depending on the electricalresistance of the heating element. In this manner, the controlelectronics may regulate the temperature of the resistive element.

The shisha device may include a temperature sensor, such as athermocouple. The temperature sensor may be operably coupled to thecontrol electronics to control the temperature of the heating element.The temperature sensor may be positioned in any suitable location. Forexample, the temperature sensor may be configured to insert into thecartridge when received within the receptacle to monitor the temperatureof the aerosol-forming substrate being heated. In addition oralternatively, the temperature sensor may be in contact with the heatingelement. In addition or alternatively, the temperature sensor may bepositioned to detect temperature at an aerosol outlet of the shishadevice or a portion thereof. The sensor may transmit signals regardingthe sensed temperature to the control electronics. The controlelectronics may adjust heating of the heating elements in response tothe signal to achieve a suitable temperature at the sensor.

The control electronics may be operably coupled to a power supply. Theshisha device may include any suitable power supply. For example, apower supply of a shisha device may be a battery or set of batteries.The batteries of the power supply may be rechargeable, removable andreplaceable, or rechargeable and removable and replaceable. Any suitablebattery may be used. For example, heavy duty type or standard batteriesexisting in the market, such as used for industrial heavy-dutyelectrical power-tools. Alternatively, the power supply may be any typeof electric power supply including a super or hyper-capacitor.Alternatively, the assembly may be connected to an external electricalpower source, and electrically and electronically designed for suchpurpose. Regardless of the type of power supply employed, the powersupply preferably provides sufficient energy for the normal functioningof the assembly for at least one shisha session until aerosol isdepleted from the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge beforebeing recharged or needing to connect to an external electrical powersource. Preferably, the power supply provides sufficient energy for thenormal functioning of the assembly for at least about 70 minutes ofcontinuous operation of the device, before being recharged or needing toconnect to an external electrical power source.

In one example, a shisha device includes an aerosol-generating elementthat includes a cartridge receptacle, a heating element, an aerosoloutlet, and an air inlet. The cartridge receptacle is configured toreceive a cartridge according to the present disclosure containing theaerosol-forming substrate. The heating element may define at least partof a surface of the receptacle.

The shisha device includes an air inlet channel in fluid connection withthe receptacle. In use, when the substrate inside the cartridge isheated, aerosol former components in the substrate vaporize. Air flowingfrom the air inlet channel through the cartridge becomes entrained withaerosol generated from the aerosol former components in the cartridge.

Some electrically heated shisha devices employ pre-heated air andtypically employ an airflow path such that the air travels in thevicinity of the heat source upon puffing. Further, some electricallyheated shisha devices employ elements that increase radiation heattransfer by increasing the heated surface area.

The air inlet channel may include one or more apertures through thecartridge receptacle such that air from outside the shisha device mayflow through the channel and into the cartridge receptacle through theone or more apertures. If a channel includes more than one aperture, thechannel may include a manifold to direct air flowing through the channelto each aperture. Preferably, the shisha device includes two or more airinlet channels.

As described above, the cartridge may include one or more openings (suchas inlets or outlets) formed in the cartridge body, allowing air to flowthrough the cartridge (for example, after having been pierced by thepiercing assembly). If the receptacle includes one or more inletapertures, at least some of the inlets in the cartridge may align withthe apertures in the top of the receptacle. The cartridge may include analignment feature configured to mate with a complementary alignmentfeature of the receptacle to align the inlets of the cartridge with theapertures of the receptacle when the cartridge is inserted into thereceptacle.

Air that enters the cartridge may flow across or through, or both acrossand through the aerosol-forming substrate, entraining aerosol, andexiting the cartridge and receptacle via an aerosol outlet. From theaerosol outlet, the air carrying the aerosol enters a vessel of theshisha device via the stem pipe.

The shisha device may include any suitable vessel defining an interiorvolume configured to contain a liquid and defining an outlet in theheadspace above a liquid fill level. The vessel may include an opticallytransparent or opaque housing to allow a consumer to observe contentscontained in the vessel. The vessel may include a liquid filldemarcation, such as a liquid fill line. The vessel housing may beformed of any suitable material. For example, the vessel housing mayinclude glass or suitable rigid plastic material. Preferably, the vesselis removable from a portion of the shisha assembly comprising theaerosol-generation element to allow a consumer to fill, empty or cleanthe vessel.

The vessel may be filled to a liquid fill level by a consumer. Theliquid preferably includes water, which may optionally be infused withone or more colorants, flavorants, or colorants and flavorants. Forexample, the water may be infused with one or both of botanical andherbal infusions.

Aerosol entrained in air exiting the aerosol outlet of the receptaclemay travel through a conduit positioned in the vessel. The conduit maybe coupled to the aerosol outlet of the aerosol-generating element andmay have an opening below the liquid fill level of the vessel, such thataerosol flowing through the vessel flows through the opening of theconduit, then through the liquid, into headspace of the vessel and exitsthrough a headspace outlet, for delivery to a consumer.

The headspace outlet may be coupled to a hose comprising a mouthpiecefor delivering the aerosol to a consumer. The mouthpiece may include anactivation element, such as a switch activatable by a user, a puffsensor arranged to detect a user puffing on the mouthpiece, or both aswitch activatable by the user and a puff sensor. The activation elementis operably coupled to the control electronics of the shisha device. Theactivation element may be wirelessly coupled to the control electronics.Activation of the activation element may cause the control electronicsto activate the heating element, rather than constantly supplying energyto the heating element. Accordingly, the use of an activation elementmay serve to save energy relative to devices not employing such elementsto provide on-demand heating rather than constant heating.

For purposes of example, one method for using a shisha device asdescribed herein is provided below in chronological order. The vesselmay be detached from other components of the shisha device and filledwith water. One or more of natural fruit juices, botanicals, and herbalinfusions may be added to the water for flavoring. The amount of liquidadded should cover a portion of the conduit but should not exceed a filllevel mark that may optionally exist on the vessel. The vessel is thenreassembled to the shisha device. The cartridge may be placed directlyonto the body of the piercing assembly. The cap may be placed onto thepiercing assembly and cartridge such that the cartridge is received inthe receptacle inside the cap. In some embodiments, the cartridge isplaced inside the receptacle of the cap, and the cap is used to placethe cartridge onto the piercing assembly. The user may press on thecartridge or may use the cap to push the cartridge down against thepiercing elements to pierce one or more walls of the cartridge. Thedevice may then be turned on. Turning on the device may initiate aheating profile of a heating element, to heat the aerosol-formingsubstrate to a temperature at or above a vaporization temperature butbelow a combustion temperature of the aerosol-forming substrate. Theaerosol forming compounds of the aerosol-forming substrate vaporize,generating an aerosol. The user may puff on the mouthpiece as desired.The user may continue using the device as long as desired or until nomore aerosol is visible or being delivered. In some embodiments, thedevice may be arranged to automatically shut off when the cartridge or acompartment of the cartridge is depleted of usable aerosol-formingsubstrate. In some embodiments, the consumer may refill the device witha fresh cartridge after, for example, receiving the cue from the devicethat the aerosol-forming substrate in the cartridge is depleted ornearly depleted. The shisha device may be turned off at any time by aconsumer by, for example, switching off the device.

The shisha device may have any suitable air management. In one example,puffing action from the user will create a suction effect causing a lowpressure inside the device which will cause external air to flow throughan air inlet of the device, into the air inlet channel, and into thereceptacle. The air may then flow through the cartridge in thereceptacle and become entrained with aerosol produced from theaerosol-forming substrate. The air with entrained aerosol then exits theaerosol outlet of the receptacle, flows through the conduit to theliquid inside the vessel. The aerosol will then bubble out of the liquidand into head space in the vessel above the level of the liquid, out theheadspace outlet, and through the hose and mouthpiece for delivery tothe consumer. The flow of external air and the flow of the aerosolinside the shisha device may be driven by the action of puffing from theuser.

Reference will now be made to the drawings, which depict one or moreembodiments described in this disclosure. However, it will be understoodthat other embodiments not depicted in the drawings fall within thescope and spirit of this disclosure. Like numbers used in the figuresrefer to like components. The use of different numbers to refer tocomponents in different figures is not intended to indicate that thedifferent numbered components cannot be the same or similar to othernumbered components. The figures are presented for purposes ofillustration and not limitation. Schematic drawings presented in thefigures are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a shisha device.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are schematic side and bottom perspective views,respectively, of the body of a shisha cartridge for use in the shishadevice of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 2C is a schematic bottom view of a shisha cartridge after havingbeen pierced by the piercing assembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2D is a schematic top view of a shisha cartridge for use in theshisha device of FIG. 1 .

FIGS. 3A and 3B are schematic cross-sectional views of a piercingassembly and shisha device cap according to an embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a cartridge and the piercing systemaccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 5A-5C are schematic views of parts of the piercing assemblyaccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6C are schematic views of a piercing element for the piercingassembly according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are perspective and top views, respectively, of apiercing assembly according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are top and perspective views, respectively, of apiercing system according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 9A-9E are side, top, and bottom views of a piercing elementaccording to an embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a top view of a piercing assembly according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 10B-10F are side, top, and bottom views of the piercing element ofFIG. 10A according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 11A and 11B are top and perspective views, respectively, of apiercing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 12A is a top view of a piercing assembly according to anembodiment.

FIGS. 12B-12F are side, top, and bottom views of the piercing element ofFIG. 12A according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 13A and 13B are various views of a spring actuated piercing systemaccording to an embodiment.

FIGS. 14A and 14B are top and perspective views, respectively, of apiercing system according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15A is a cross-sectional view of the piercing assembly of FIGS. 14Aand 14B according to an embodiment.

FIG. 15B is a detailed cross-sectional side view of a piercing elementof the piercing assembly of FIGS. 14A and 14B according to anembodiment.

FIG. 15C is a sectional side view of a cartridge for use in the piercingassembly of

FIGS. 14A and 14B according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16A is a rolled-open view of piercing elements of a piercingassembly according to an embodiment.

FIG. 16B is a perspective view of a piercing assembly comprising thepiercing elements of FIG. 16A according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 17A-17D are top and side views of a piercing assembly according toan embodiment.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are top and perspective views, respectively, of apiercing assembly with an absorption element according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 19A and 19B are schematic view of a shisha device and cap withpiercing assembly in use according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20A is cross-sectional side view of the cap and piercing system ofFIG. 19A according to an embodiment.

FIG. 20B is an exploded view of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 20A.

FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view of the cap frame of the cap andpiercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a schematic perspective view of the outer shroud of the capand piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.

FIG. 23 is a schematic perspective view of the spring of the cap andpiercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.

FIG. 24 is a schematic perspective view of the inner shroud of the capand piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.

FIG. 25 is a schematic perspective view of the support ring of the capand piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.

FIG. 26 is a schematic perspective view of the grip element of the capand piercing system of FIG. 19A according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 27A and 27B are schematic cross sectional side and bottom views,respectively, of the outer shroud of the cap and piercing system of FIG.19A according to an embodiment.

FIGS. 28A-28D are side views of the track and pin in different positionsduring use of the cap and piercing system of FIG. 19A according to anembodiment.

FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view of an example of a shisha device100. The device 100 includes a vessel 17 defining an interior volumeconfigured to contain liquid 19 and defining a headspace outlet 15 abovea fill level for the liquid 19. The liquid 19 preferably includes water,which may optionally be infused with one or more colorants, one or moreflavorants, or one or more colorants and one or more flavorants. Forexample, the water may be infused with one or both of botanicalinfusions and herbal infusions.

The device 100 also includes an aerosol-generating element 130. Theaerosol-generating element 130 includes a receptacle 140 configured toreceive a cartridge 200 comprising an aerosol-forming substrate. Theaerosol-generating element 130 may also include a heating element 160.The heating element 160 may form at least one surface of the receptacle140. In the depicted embodiment, the heating element 160 defines theside surfaces of the receptacle 140. The aerosol-generating element 130also includes an air inlet channel 170 that draws air into the device100. In some embodiments, portion of the air inlet channel 170 is formedby the heating element 160 to heat the air before the air enters thereceptacle 140. The pre-heated air then enters the cartridge 200, whichis also heated by heating element 160, to carry aerosol generated by theaerosol former and the aerosol-forming substrate. The air exits anoutlet of the aerosol-generating element 130 and enters a conduit 190.The conduit 190 may be a stem pipe.

The conduit (for example, stem pipe) 190 carries the air and aerosolinto the vessel 17 below the level of the liquid 19. The air and aerosolmay bubble through the liquid 19 and exit the headspace outlet 15 of thevessel 17. A hose 20 may be attached to the headspace outlet 15 to carrythe aerosol to the mouth of a user. A mouthpiece 25 may be attached to,or form a part of, the hose 20.

An exemplary air flow path of the device, in use, is depicted by thickarrows in FIG. 1 .

The mouthpiece 25 may include an activation element 27. The activationelement 27 may be a switch, button or the like, or may be a puff sensoror the like. The activation element 27 may be placed at any othersuitable location of the device 100. The activation element 27 may be inwireless communication with the control electronics 30 to place thedevice 100 in condition for use or to cause control electronics toactivate the heating element 160; for example, by causing power supply35 to energize the heating element 160.

The control electronics 30 and power supply 35 may be located in anysuitable position of the aerosol-generating element 130, includinglocations other than the bottom portion of the element 130 as depictedin FIG. 1 .

Referring now to FIGS. 2A-2D, various embodiments of the body 210 of acartridge 200 are shown. The body 210 may include a side wall 212, a topwall 215, and a bottom wall 213 defining a cavity 218. The side wall 212may be cylindrical or frustoconical, as shown. FIG. 2A shows the body210 with a portion of the top 215 removed, showing the cavity 218 insidethe body. The body 210 may define a center axis A extending through thebody 210. The top may comprise a flange 219 that extends from thesidewall 212 as shown in FIG. 2B. The flange 219 may rest on shoulder ofa receptacle of a shisha device so that cartridge 200 may be readilyremoved from the receptacle after use by grasping the flange. The bottomwall 213 (or the top wall 215 or both the bottom 213 and the top 215)may have a plurality of apertures 216 (217) to allow air flow throughthe cartridge when the cartridge is in use. According to an embodimentof the present disclosure, the apertures 216 are formed upon piercing ofthe cartridge 200 with the piercing system. A schematic bottom view ofthe cartridge 200 is shown in FIG. 2C, where the pierced openings 216can be seen along the corner of the bottom wall 213 and side wall 212.

The apertures 216, 217 of the top 215 and bottom 213 may be aligned witheach other. The cartridge 200 may also or alternatively includeapertures along the sidewall 212.

FIG. 3A shows a schematic partial view of a shisha device 100 comprisingthe piercing system 300. An exploded view of the piercing system 300 isshown in FIG. 4 and views of the individual parts are shown in FIGS.5A-5C. The piercing system 300 includes a stem pipe 190 and a piercingassembly 301. The stem pipe 190 comprises a hollow tube with an upstreamend 191 and a downstream end 192 and an airflow path extending throughthe hollow tube from the upstream end 191 to the downstream end 192. Thepiercing assembly 301 may be mounted onto the upstream end 191 or may beintegrally formed as a part of the stem pipe 190.

The piercing assembly 301 comprises a body 310 with an upstream end 311and a downstream end 312. The body 310 comprises a through opening 313extending from the upstream end 311 to the downstream end 312 along acenter axis A. The opening 313 may be coaxial with the hollow tube ofthe stem pipe 190. The piercing assembly 301 comprises a plurality ofpiercing elements 330 at its upstream end 311. The piercing elements 330are configured for piercing (for example, creating one or more holes in)the cartridge 200.

The piercing element 330 may have any suitable shape that is capable ofpiercing the cartridge 200. The piercing element 330 has an upstream end331 and a downstream end 332. The upstream end 331 is the piercing end.In some embodiments, the piercing element 330 has a piercing edge 333,as shown in FIG. 5B. In some embodiments, the piercing element 330 has apiercing point 334, as shown in FIG. 5C. The piercing element 330 mayalso have a piercing edge 333 that terminates in a piercing point 334.

In one embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A-6C, the piercing element 330 has acurved or cupped shape when viewed from above (see top view in FIG. 6B).The piercing element 330 may include a center portion 336. The centerportion 336 may define a piercing point 334. The center portion 336 mayalso define at least a portion of a piercing edge 333. The centerportion 336 may be flanked by two side portions 337. The side portions337 may be bent or folded inward toward the center axis A. The piercingelement 330 may further comprise a base 338. The base 338 may be used toattach the piercing element 330 to the body 310 of the piercing assembly301. The piercing element 330 may be formed from a flat piece ofmaterial shown in FIG. 6C. The side portions 337 and base 338 may bebent or folded along the dotted lines toward one side of the centerportion 336 to form the cupped shape.

The piercing system 300 may be operated by placing a cartridge 200 ontothe piercing assembly 301 disposed at the mouth of the shisha devicevessel. The cartridge may be pressed down toward the piercing assembly301, causing the piercing elements 330 to pierce a wall (for example,the bottom wall 213 or the side wall 212) of the cartridge 200. If a cap400 is used, the cartridge 200 may be pressed down by pressing on thecap 400. Cap 400 will be described below with reference to FIGS. 19A,19B, 20A, 20B, 21-26, 27A, 27B, and 28A-D.

The piercing elements 330 of the piercing assembly 301 may pierce thecartridge 200 to create one or more inlets or outlets in the cartridge200. FIG. 3B shows a partial view of the top of the shisha device withthe piercing assembly and cap, where airflow through the cap and thepierced cartridge 200 are shown with arrows.

An embodiment of the piercing assembly 301 is shown in FIGS. 7A and 76B.The piercing assembly 301 comprises a plurality of piercing elements330. Although eight piercing elements 330 are shown, the number ofpiercing elements may vary. Further, the types of piercing elements mayvary, and the piercing assembly 301 may include more than one type ofpiercing element 330.

The piercing elements 330 are disposed at the upstream end 311 of thebody 310. The piercing elements 330 are oriented such that the piercingend (upstream end 331) of the piercing element 330 is oriented upwardwhen the upstream end 311 of the body 310 is oriented upward. If thepiercing element 330 has a piercing edge 333, the piercing edge 333 maybe oriented toward the through opening 313 of the body 310. The piercingelements 330 are located on the body 310 such that they may come intocontact with the cartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is moved axiallytoward the body 310.

In some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 are symmetrical orsymmetrically placed such that the piercing edge 333 is oriented towardthe center axis A of the piercing assembly body 310, as shown in FIGS.8A and 8B.

An exemplary embodiment of a piercing element 330 is shown in FIGS.9A-9E. The piercing element 330 extends from an upstream end 331 to adownstream end 332. The piercing element 330 comprises a piercing edge333, as seen in the front view in FIG. 9A and side view in FIG. 9B. Thepiercing edge 333 may be present at the upstream end 331 of the piercingelement 330. The piercing edge 333 may extend from the upstream end 331to the downstream end 332 along the length of the piercing element 330.The bottom portion of the back side may be tapered toward the front, asseen in the side view in FIG. 9B. The piercing element 330 may comprisea triangular shape in its cross section, as seen in the top and bottomviews in FIGS. 9D and 9E. In the embodiment shown, the piercing element330 comprises a substantially flat triangular top.

In another embodiment, the piercing edge 333 is disposed at the top (atthe upstream or piercing end 331) of the piercing element 330, as shownin FIGS. 10A-10F.

In some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 are asymmetrical or areasymmetrically placed along the edge of the body 310 such that thepiercing edge 333 is not oriented toward the center axis A of thepiercing assembly body 310, as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B.

An exemplary embodiment of an asymmetrical piercing element 330 is shownin FIGS. 12A-12F. As can be seen in FIG. 12A, although the piercing edge333 is oriented toward the inside (the through opening 313) of the body,the piercing edge 333 does not point toward the center axis A. In otherwords, the angle bisector of the piercing edge 333 in a transverse crosssection does not run through the center axis A.

The piercing edge 333 may have a curved shape, as shown in FIG. 12B. Thecurved piercing edge 333 may be present at the upstream end 331 of thepiercing element 330. The curved piercing edge 333 may extend from theupstream end 331 to the downstream end 332 along the length of thepiercing element 330. The bottom portion of the back side may be taperedtoward the front, as seen in the side view in FIG. 12C. The piercingelement 330 may comprise a triangular shape in its cross section, asseen in the top and bottom views in FIGS. 12E and 12F. The triangularshape may have curved sides. In the embodiment shown, the piercingelement 330 comprises a substantially flat triangular top.

The curved piercing edge 333 may be combined with a piercing assembly301 configured to move rotatably about the center axis A when pusheddown with the cartridge 200. The piercing system 300, shown in FIGS. 13Aand 13B, may include a track 194 on the stem pipe 190 and acorresponding pin 314 on the body 310 of the assembly. Alternatively thetrack may be on the body 310 and the pin may be on the stem pipe 190.The track 194 and pin 314 cooperate to guide the rotational motion ofthe body 310 about the center axis A when the body 310 is moveddownward. The piercing system 300 may further include a compressionspring 340. The compression spring 340 may be configured to bias thebody 310 upward. The stem pipe 190 may include a flange 195 thatsupports the spring. The body 310 may include a ledge 335 that rests orpushes down on the spring 340.

In some embodiments, the piercing elements are integrally formed withthe body 310 of the piercing assembly. Further, in some embodiments, thepiercing elements 330 may be recessed into the body 310 of the piercingassembly, as shown in FIGS. 14A and 14B. In such embodiments, thepiercing elements 330 may be disposed inside the cavity of the body 310,and the piercing ends 351 of the piercing elements 330 do not extendpast the upstream end 311 of the body 310. The piercing elements 330 maybe integral with the body 310 such that the inside wall 316 forms thepiercing elements 330. The piercing elements 330 may comprise anextension 350 extending inward from the inside wall 316 of the body 310,as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B. The piercing elements 330 may comprise apiercing edge, a piercing point, or both.

The body 310 may further comprise a sealing ring 315 configured to sealagainst the wall of the cartridge 200. A portion 316A of the inside wall316 of the body 310 may be angled relative to a vertical line parallelto the center axis A. The sealing ring 315 may be disposed below ordownstream of the angled portion 316A. The angled portion 316A may havean angle a as shown in FIG. 15B. The angle a may be the same as theangle of the side wall 212 of the cartridge 200 shown in FIG. 15C. Thesealing ring 315 may be made of an elastic material that may becompressed by the cartridge 200 as the cartridge is pushed down into thebody 310 of the piercing assembly 301. The cartridge 200 may be pusheddown past the sealing ring 315 until the bottom and side walls of thecartridge engage the piercing elements 330 pointing inwardly below thesealing ring 315.

Referring now to FIGS. 16A and 16B, the piercing ends 333 of thepiercing elements 330 may be at different levels when viewed from theside of the piercing assembly 301. For example, one or more of thepiercing ends 333 may extend to a first distance D1 from the upstreamend 311 of the body 310, and one or more of the piercing ends 333 mayextend to a second distance D2 from the upstream end 311, where thefirst distance D1 is different from the second distance D2. In oneembodiment, a third piercing end and optionally further piercing endsextend to different distances. In one embodiment, each of the piercingends extends to a distance different from other piercing ends.

In some embodiments, the piercing elements 330 are needle-like such thatthe piercing ends 333 of the piercing elements 330 comprise a piercingpoint 334 as shown in FIGS. 17A-17D. The piercing elements 330comprising a piercing point 334 may be attached directly to the body310, or alternatively may be attached to a disc 354 as shown. The disc354 may comprise a domed surface and an outer edge 356 to which thepiercing elements 330 are attached. The disc 354 may be mounted onto theupstream end 191 of the stem pipe 190 by space bars 358. The space bars358 may provide a gap between the disc 354 and the upstream end 191 ofthe stem pipe 190 to allow for air flow.

In some embodiments, shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, the piercing assemblycomprises an absorption element 360. The absorption element 360 maycomprise a ring-shaped element. The ring-shaped element may beconfigured to fit around the stem pipe 190. The absorption element 360may be disposed adjacent the upstream end 191 of the stem pipe 190 in aspace between the stem pipe 190 and the body 310 of the piercingassembly 301.

A partial schematic view of a shisha device with the cap 400 andpiercing assembly 401 is shown in FIG. 19A. The cap 400 may include anouter frame 410 housing the piercing assembly 401. The piercing assembly401 may include an outer shroud 420 and a piercing element 440 on theinside wall of the outer shroud 420. In some embodiments, such as thoseillustrated for example, the piercing element 440 may be disposed on theinside end wall 421. The piercing assembly 401 may further include aninner shroud 430 at least partially disposed within the outer shroud.The piercing element 440 may be oriented toward a cartridge 200 placedwithin a receptacle of the shisha device 100. Once the cartridge 200 hasbeen pierced by the piercing assembly 401, an airflow path isestablished through the cartridge 200, as shown in FIG. 19B.

An example of a cap 400 and piercing assembly 401 is shown in FIGS. 20Aand 20B. Detailed views of each of the elements of the cap 400 andpiercing assembly 401 are shown in FIGS. 21-26 . The cap 400 andpiercing assembly 401 may define a longitudinal axis A. The longitudinalaxis A may be a center axis. The longitudinal axis A may be coaxial withthe hollow tube of the stem pipe 190.

The cap outer frame 410, shown in FIG. 21 , may comprise a cylindricalouter wall 413 extending between a first end wall 411 and an open secondend 412. The outer frame 410 may define a cavity 419 for housing thepiercing assembly 401. The first end wall 411 may have a protrusion 414extending from the inside wall. The protrusion 414 may be configured forpressing on the outer shroud 420 while leaving a gap between the capouter frame 410 and the outer shroud 420.

The cap 400 may include a grip element 450, shown in FIG. 26 ,configured to grip the cartridge 200. The grip element 450 may include aring member 451 and one or more grip fingers 452. The one or more gripfingers 452 extend from the ring member 451 to upper ends 453. The gripelement 450 may be positioned within the inner shroud 430, as shown inFIG. 20A. The one or more grip fingers 452 may be configured such thatthe ends of the grip fingers 452 abut against an upper flange of thecartridge 200 when the cartridge 200 is received in the inner shroud430.

The outer frame 410 may optionally include screw holes 462 configuredfor fastening a support plate 460 (FIG. 25 ) to the bottom of the outerframe 410. Alternatively, the support plate 460 may be fastened by othermeans, such as by an adhesive. The support plate 460 may be asubstantially round plate with a center hole 461 extending through theplate. The support plate 460 may be sized to hold the piercing assembly401 inside the cavity 419 of the outer frame 410, as shown in FIG. 20A.

The outer shroud 420, shown in FIGS. 22, 27A, and 27B, is constructed toat least partially fit within the cavity 419 of the cap outer frame 410.The outer shroud 420 may comprise a cylindrical outer wall 423 extendingbetween a first end wall 421 and an open second end 422. The outershroud 420 may define a cavity 429 for housing the piercing element 440and the inner shroud 430. The outer shroud 420 comprises the piercingelement 440. The piercing element 440 extends axially downward insidethe cavity of the outer shroud 420. The piercing element 440 is centeredwith respect to a longitudinal axis A of the outer shroud 420. Thepiercing element 440 may be integral with the outer shroud 420 or may beattached to the inside of the first end wall 421 of the outer shroud420. The piercing element 440 may comprise one or more piecing edges orpiercing points 441. The piecing edges or piercing points 441 areconfigured to pierce a wall (for example, top wall) of the cartridge200. The piercing element 440 may have a width W440. The width W440 maybe configured such that the piercing element 440 is able to fit throughan opening 437 on the inner shroud 430. The outer shroud 420 maycomprise a bottom flange 427. The bottom flange 427 may extend outwardlyfrom the bottom of the outer wall 423.

The inner shroud 430, shown in FIG. 24 , is constructed to at leastpartially fit within the cavity 429 of the outer shroud 420. The innershroud 430 may have an outer wall comprising first part 433 and a secondpart 434. The first part 433 may be a cylindrical wall with a firstdiameter, and the second part 434 may be a cylindrical wall with asecond diameter. The second diameter may be greater than the firstdiameter. The first and second parts 433, 434 may be separated by ashoulder 435. The shoulder 435 may be constructed to support thecompression spring 470. The compression spring 470 may fit around thefirst part 433. The end of the compression spring 470 may be supportedon the shoulder 435, so that the spring may be compressed against theshoulder 435. The outer wall of the inner shroud 430 may extend betweena first end wall 431 and an open second end 432. The inner shroud 440may define a cavity 439 for receiving a cartridge 200. The inner shroud430 may have an opening 437 at the first end wall 431. The opening 437may be configured to receive the piercing element 440. The opening 437may further include one or more channels 438 for facilitating airflowthrough the inner shroud 430 while the piercing element 440 is receivedin the opening 437.

The outer and inner shrouds 420, 430 may include a track and pin systemto guide the movement of the outer shroud 420. The outer shroud 420 maycomprise one or more pins 425 extending radially inwardly from itscylindrical outer wall 423. The inner shroud 430 may include one or moretracks 436 corresponding to the one or more pins 425. An exemplary track436 and the path guided by the track 436 are shown in FIGS. 28A-28D. Atfirst, the cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420 are in a firstposition P1. The first position P1 may be considered a rest position.The guide track may comprise a first portion and a second portion. Theguide track may comprise a second position P2, which may be a piercingposition of the piercing element. The first portion may define a firstdistance between the first position P1 and a second position P2. Thefirst portion may define a third position P3. The third position P3 maybe a use position. The second portion may define a second distancebetween the third position P3 and a fourth position P4. The seconddistance may be shorter than the first distance. The first portion mayguide the track pin in an axial direction and in a radial direction. Aforce may be applied to the cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud420, for example, the cap 410 may be pressed down (for example, by auser) to move the pin from the first position P1 to the second positionP2 (see arrow in FIG. 28A), where the piercing element 440 engages andpierces the cartridge 200. When the force removed, for example, whenpressure is released from (for example, the user lets go of) the capouter frame 410 and the outer shroud 420, the compression spring 470returns the cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420 up to a thirdposition P3. The movement of the cap during the initial pushing down ofthe cap to pierce the cartridge and the release of the cap to allow thecap to return to the third (use) position is defined by the firstportion of the track. In the third position P3, an airflow path is openthrough the openings formed in the cartridge 200, and is open between anexterior of the shisha device and the vessel. To release and remove thecap 400, the user may again press on the cap outer frame 410, causingthe cap outer frame 410 and the outer shroud 420 to move to a fourthposition P4, from where the compression spring 470 returns the cap outerframe 410 and the outer shroud 420 to the initial first position P1. Themovement of the cap during the second instance of pushing down on thecap to release the cap is defined by the second portion of the track.

Thus, piercing systems for shisha devices are described. Variousmodifications and variations of the invention will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of theinvention. Although the invention has been described in connection withspecific preferred embodiments, it should be understood that theinvention as claimed should not be unduly limited to such specificembodiments. Indeed, various modifications of the described modes forcarrying out the invention which are apparent to those skilled in themechanical arts, chemical arts, and aerosol-generating articlemanufacturing or related fields are intended to be within the scope ofthe following claims.

1. A piercing system for a shisha device, the piercing systemcomprising: a stem pipe comprising a hollow tube extending from anupstream end to a downstream end along a longitudinal axis; and apiercing assembly at the upstream end of the stem pipe, the piercingassembly comprising: a body with a through opening coaxial with thehollow tube, the body comprising an upstream body end; and a pluralityof piercing elements at the upstream body end, wherein each of theplurality of piercing elements has a piercing end extending from thebody, and wherein one or more of the piercing ends extend from theupstream body end to at least a first distance and one or more of thepiercing ends extend to a second distance, wherein the first distance isdifferent from the second distance.
 2. The piercing system according toclaim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of piercing elementscomprise a piercing edge oriented radially inwardly toward thelongitudinal axis and optionally extending longitudinally parallel tothe longitudinal axis.
 3. The piercing system according to claim 1,wherein each of the piercing ends extends from the upstream body end toa distance different from each of the other piercing ends.
 4. Thepiercing system according to claim 1, wherein one or more of theplurality of piercing elements comprises a triangular shape in a crosssection transverse to the longitudinal axis.
 5. The piercing systemaccording to claim 1, wherein one or more of the plurality of piercingelements comprises, in a cross section transverse to the longitudinalaxis, a curved shape.
 6. The piercing system according to claim 1,wherein the plurality of piercing elements are retractable.
 7. Thepiercing system according to claim 1, wherein the piercing assembly isremovably attachable to the stem pipe.
 8. The piercing system accordingto claim 1, wherein the piercing assembly is rotatable about thelongitudinal center axis.
 9. The piercing system according to claim 1,wherein the body comprises a sealing ring configured to sealingly matewith a cartridge.
 10. The piercing system according to claim 1 furthercomprising an absorption element housed within the body.
 11. Anaerosol-generating device comprising: a vessel comprising an interiorvolume configured for housing a liquid, the vessel comprising a mouth influid communication with the interior volume; and a piercing systemmounted at the mouth, the piercing system comprising: a stem pipecomprising a hollow tube extending from an upstream end to a downstreamend along a longitudinal axis; and a piercing assembly at the upstreamend of the stem pipe, the piercing assembly comprising: a body with athrough opening coaxial with the hollow tube, the body comprising anupstream body end; and a plurality of piercing elements at the upstreambody end, wherein each of the plurality of piercing elements has apiercing end extending from the body, and wherein one or more of thepiercing ends extend from the upstream body end to at least a firstdistance and one or more of the piercing ends extend to a seconddistance, wherein the first distance is different from the seconddistance, wherein the downstream end of the stem pipe extends into theinterior volume.
 12. The aerosol-generating device according to claim 11further comprising a cap removably mountable at the mouth of the vesseland the cap is configured to receive a cartridge comprising anaerosol-forming substrate.
 13. The aerosol-generating device accordingto claim 12, wherein the piercing assembly of the piercing system isconfigured to pierce a first wall of the cartridge and wherein when thecap comprises a cap piercing element configured to pierce a second wallof the cartridge.
 14. A method of using the aerosol-generating device ofclaim 12, the method comprising: inserting a cartridge into the cap ofthe aerosol-generating device or into the body of the piercing assembly;placing the cap at the mouth of the vessel such that the cartridge isreceived in a receptacle of the cap and is oriented toward the upstreamend of the piercing stem pipe; and pushing the cap against the piercingassembly, causing the piercing assembly to pierce a wall of thecartridge.